Arias de López, M., Kondo, T., & Molina-Moreira, N. 2025 A new threat to Ecuadorian flora: first report of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and its potential biological control agent. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 69(2): e20250007

Keywords:

biological control

distribution

economic importance

host

illustration

male

natural enemies

nymph

record

Notes: The presence of the pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is reported for the first time in urban trees in Guayaquil (2022) and Portoviejo (2023), Ecuador. Additionally, the wasp Anagyrus kamali Moursi (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was detected parasitizing M. hirsutus in several locations. This finding opens the possibility of implementing effective biological control strategies, reducing dependence on insecticides and protecting biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9665-RBENT-2025-0007

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